Chiltern Railways is required by the terms of its contract with the Department for Transport (DFT) to ensure that it protects revenue from ticket sales. The requirement is designed to ensure that fare paying passengers and taxpayers in general do not have to subsidise the cost of travel for those who do not pay their fare.
Failure to produce a valid ticket upon request may result in you being liable to pay a penalty fare of £100 plus the price of the full single fare applicable for your intended journey or being reported for prosecution. Always buy your ticket before you board the train, if you do not you may be liable for a penalty fare or reported for prosecution.
If you have an issue with your ticket, please speak to staff before you board for assistance.
Buying a ticket is easy, living with a criminal record is not – Fares Fare - Buy before you board.
Revenue Enforcement & Prosecutions Policy
Frequently asked questions
- I have mislaid my ticket, can I still travel and show my booking confirmation or receipt when asked to instead?
- No, in line with the National Rail Conditions of travel it is the traveller's responsibility to keep their ticket(s) safe and produce when asked to by an authorised officer of the railway. A receipt or proof of purchase is not valid for travel, you must be able to produce a valid ticket when asked to do so.
- My child is 16 years old and was questioned for not purchasing an adult ticket, why is this the case as they are under 18 years of age?
- Anyone aged 16 years or over must travel on an adult fare.
- I bought a discounted ticket but I do not hold a valid railcard, can I appeal?
- It is the traveller's responsibility to ensure that they hold a valid railcard whilst travelling, and to ensure that it is used in accordance with the terms and conditions. The railcard should be produced when asked to do so by an authorised officer of the railway. Digital railcards must be fully downloaded before travel and available for inspection when requested.
- I'm running late and in a hurry to catch my train, can I just buy a ticket onboard the service or at my destination?
- All tickets must be purchased, collected or downloaded before boarding the train. You can purchase a ticket online, or via the app, at a ticket office or a ticket vending machine (where available). Only on occasions where all purchasing options are unavailable, tickets can and should be purchased at the first opportunity during the journey. Revenue protection personnel are usually aware of any issues with ticket issuing facilities.
- What happens if I don't have enough battery charge on my smartphone to show my ticket on inspection?
- If you are travelling with an e-ticket you must ensure that you have sufficient battery charge to produce the ticket when asked to do so by an authorised officer of the railway. This is in line with the National Rail Conditions of Travel.
- Why was I stopped and questioned, even though I had ticket but it only covered part of my journey?
- You must have a valid ticket for the entire journey before boarding the train. It is an offence if you travel beyond the validity of your ticket.
- An inspector stopped me as there was a problem with my ticket and took my details, what happens now?
- Your case will be investigated, and we will be in touch in due course. It can take up to six months for you to receive a letter, at this stage there will be an opportunity to provide mitigation about the circumstances.
- Last time I was stopped I was allowed to pay a penalty fare; can I just pay the penalty fare again this time?
- If you have been issued a penalty fare previously it would be more likely that you will be questioned and reported for the offence as a suspected fare evader.